held up towards rear, pushed along and headway after 3 out, in 4th and chasing leaders when blundered 2 out, kept on well to lead final 100 yards
in touch and keen, chased leader from 3 out, ridden and hung right after 2 out, weakened flat
led from 2nd, ridden approaching 2 out, hit last, headed final 100 yards, no extra
tracked leaders and keen, went 2nd from 5th, weakened after 3 out
held up towards rear, hit 3 out, soon pushed along and weakened
led to 2nd, tracked leader to 5th, ridden and weakened approaching 2 out
mid-division and keen, headway on inside approaching 3 out, ridden after 2 out, one pace flat
held up towards rear, hit 2nd, pushed along and lost place from 3 out
always behind, jumped slow 1st and 2nd, weakened from 7th, tailed off from next
Our Matti probably sets the standard on his achievements for Willie Mullins but after a 973-day break he's entitled to need this first run for new connections. With that in mind preference is for DEAR SAM, who found only subsequent Graded winner Cue Card too strong on his hurdling bow at Aintree. The third has gone on to run well while the horse back in fourth is well thought of so, with the form looking strong, he's taken to make the most of this easier assignment. 106-rated Pie At Midnight looks likely to struggle so it's Basford Bob who is feared most. His trainer is enjoying a decent run and this horse showed promise in bumpers, most notably when second to Wednesday's Warwick winner Habbie Simpson before being outclassed by Cue Card in the Cheltenham feature. He's bred to do better at this game and can get close to Dear Sam, but AP's mount should be too good.
Attaglance 14-1 (10-7) Held up in rear, ridden after 3 out, kept on from last, took 4th flat, no impression, 4th of 10, 11l behind Al Qeddaaf (11-5) at Haydock 2m nh nov hdl (4) gd.
Basford Bob (IRE) 100-1 (11-5) Held up behind, some headway when carried wide over 4f out, soon beaten, 21st of 24, 38l behind Cue Card (10-12) at Cheltenham 2m N H flat G1 (1) gd in Mar.
Dear Sam (GER) 10-1 (10-12) In touch, joined leaders on outside 7th, mistake 4 out, driven and hung left under pressure from next, stayed on to go 2nd approaching last, no chance with winner, 2nd of 8, 13l behind Cue Card (10-12) at Aintree 2m 4f NH nov hdl 4-6yo (3) gs in Oct.
Our Matti 1-3fav (11-12) Mid-division, headway to 6th 3 out, improved to 3rd before straight, ridden to 2nd approaching 2 out, challenged after 2 out, no extra approaching last, kept on run-in, 2nd of 17, 1l behind Storm Plan (10-13) at Clonmel 2m mdn hdl sft in Mar '08.
Pie At Midnight 16-1 (10-12) Pulled hard in touch, ridden to challenge approaching 2 out, soon weakened, 7th of 12, 26l behind Safran De Cotte (10-12) at Bangor 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) sft.
Roi De Garde (FR) 25-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, jumped slowly 5th, weakened after 3 out, 9th of 11, 30l behind Break The Chain (10-12) at Southwell 2m nh nov hdl (4) gd.
Tiptoeaway (IRE) 5-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, ridden and weakened approaching 3 out, 10th of 17, well behind Yurok (10-7) at Carlisle 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) sft in Oct.
Upper Deck (IRE) 50-1 (10-13) Mid-division, took keen hold, headway over 6f out, weakened over 2f out, 6th of 14, 26l behind Maggie Aron (10-13) at Newton Abbot 2m 1f NH flat (6) gd in Jun.
Another Mystery Beat All mare out of Mariner's Air.
